Accra: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), says the recently held presidential primaries was a gruelling cycle that had the potential to cause psychological wounds and strain relationships.

In a quest to kick him out of the flagbearer race, he said he had listened to members of his party tell lies about him and his family.

“I have listened to them say hurtful and unprintable things about me in the quest to bring me down and achieve their ambitions or the ambitions of those they supported.

“Elections can leave scars that may not show on the surface but sometimes cut deeply. I know this. Throughout this campaign I have listened to my own party members insult me,” he said.

Dr Bawumia shared his sentiments during a Muslim thanksgiving service for a successful primary. The ceremony was superintended by the national chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, and witnessed by party leaders and sympathisers at the national mosque.

Based on his religious doctrine, he said he would not banter in response to lies and insults against him.

“It was a storm of lies and vilification. But I smiled through the storm because I knew Allah knows the truth and will not forsake me,” he said.

Inspired by the teaching of the Quran, he called on party members to repel evil with good, forgive one another and eschew personal grudges and internal suspicions.

The former vice president observed that the overwhelming nature of his victory was a testament that the NPP was not a tribal nor religiously bigoted party.

“The delegates of the NPP showed that our party votes on the basis of competence, capability, vision, character, humility, integrity and tolerance and not on the basis of tribe or religion,” Dr Bawumia said.

He also urged the government to focus on building the country rather than seeking retribution, intimidation or settling political scores. 

“It is the time to lower the temperature, heal the nation and govern in a way that reassures every Ghanaian that they are safe, respected and valued regardless of how they voted. 

He added, “Ghana is bigger than any party. Our democracy must never be reduced to vengeance.  There is work to be done.”